Typographical composing-machine.



D. S. KENNEDY.

TYPOGRAPHICAL UOMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001212, 1912.

1,088,428. Patented Feb. 24, 19m

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D. S. KENNEDY.

TYPOGRAPHICAL GOMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001.12, 1912.

1,088,428. Patented Feb.-24,1914.

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priirnn s'rn'rns PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID S. KENNEDY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MEBGENTI-IALER LINO'IYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEIIV YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL COIl/IPOSING-MACHINE.

LOSSALZS,

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Application filed October 12, 1912. Serial No. 725,371.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID S. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Typographical Composing- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to typographical composing machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 436,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. More particularly it relates to this distributing mechanism, and even more specifically it is preferably embodied in that form thereof, comprising a grooved or permuted distributer bar or rail, and rotating screws which advance the matrices along it, until they are released therefrom and drop into the appropriate channels of the magazine.

As ordinarily employed, for instance in the commercial linotype machine, the magazine is inclined at an angle, the distributer bar is vertically disposed, and a curved throat or guide is located between the bar and the magazine to convey the matrices from the former to the latter. It is one of the purposes of my invention to dispense with this curved throat, and to arrange the parts so that the matrices will pass from the distributing mechanism to the magazinc in a straight path, and to this end I change the angle of the distributer bar, and give it the same lateral inclination as the magazine. This construction not only causes the matrices to pass from the distributing mechanism to the magazine in a straight path, but also enables me to dispose the distributing rail in such immediate proximity to the magazine mouth, that the matrices when released from the bar enter directly into it.

Several other important and advantageous features reside in my improved construction. For instance, due to the inclined position of the rail and of the matrices suspended therefrom, the latter also contact with one or more of the rotating distributer screws, and when released from the bar they are therefore accelerated frictionally, and their delivery into the magazinc is correspondingly quickened. Also, I

employ auxiliary means for guiding and such manner that it may be moved from its operative position rearwardly and downwardly, in order to give access to the matrices engaged thereby or to the interior parts, the supporting devices preferably taking the form of a frame arranged to turn pivotally about an axis below the bar. This capability of moving the bar to inoperative position rearwardly and downwardly is particularly advantageous, in that during such movement there is little liability that the matrices will become disengaged from the bar or fall into the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown my invention in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to a linotype machine, but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein, and in its mode of application, and still be comprised within its spirit. Thus for instance. the invention may be applied to other forms of typographical machines, such as type setters, type casters, and the like, which handle type instead of matrices.

Generally speaking, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through the distributing mechanism and upper ends of the magazines of a linotype machine, having my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a section thereof, taken substantially on the line 22 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a detail,

illustrating the pivotal mounting of the distributer bars.

Referring to the drawings, a plurality of inclined magazines A is disclosed, each equipped with the customary channel entrance A, and each provided with its own distributing mechanism. The latter is shown as comprising a grooved distributer bar B and the customary conveying screws C and D, which screws are actuated by any suitable gearing, such as that indicated at F. It should be noted that the three lower screws C turn in the direction indicated by the arrow, for a purpose which will be subsequently explained.

The bar B, instead of being vertically dis posed as heretofore, is now arranged at the same lateral inclination as that of the magazine A, and as a result thereof, the matrices X, when they are disengaged from the bar, pass directly therefrom and in a straight path through the entrance A into the mag azine. As previously indicated, this permits the location of the bar and other distributing devices in immediate proximity to the magazine and obviates the necessity for the intermediate curved throat or the like.

The conveying screws C and D, which advance the matrices along the bar, are likewise inclined in relation to the bar and magazine, and due to the inclination of the several parts, the matrices on the bar, during their advance, rest with their ears or edges upon the screws, and particularly upon the lower screw C, which thus acts to support and hold the matrices in proper position. hen the matrices are freed from the bar and pass downward into the channel entrance A, they are supported during their passage, in part by the screw C, and in part by an inclined guiding and supporting piece, such as the transverse bar E, suitably mounted and preferably located between the two screws C and D. This bar E is shown as having a plane guiding surface, but it may be grooved, if desired, in substantially the same manner as disclosed in the application for Letters Patent of J. R. Rogers, Serial No. 645,498, filed August 23, 1911.

As already indicated, the matrices X, during their passage along the distributer bar B, rest in part upon the screw C (see Fig. l). The screw C is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and therefore tends constantly by reason of its frictional engagement with the matrices, to advance them toward the channel entrance A and magazine A. Con sequently, when a matrix is released from the bar, and due to the frictional contact already described, the matrix is accelerated in the direction of its travel. This feature is particularly advantageous in connection with the present form of device, wherein the bar and. magazine are inclined, and consequently the ordinary accelerating effect of gravity is somewhat less than in cases where the bar is vertically disposed. However, it is to be understood that the same principle may be employed in connection with other forms, and in fact in any con struction where it is desired to increase the speed of the matrix as it is released from the distributing mechanism. It should also be noted that the present inclined arrangement of parts enables me to locate the distributing mechanism in much closer proximity to the magazine, and consequently there is less liability to delay in the return of the matrices thereto.

Another important feature is the capability of moving the distributer bar out of its operative relation to the magazine, so as to give access to the matrices or to the interior parts, with the minimum of danger that the matrices will be disengaged from the bar and fall into the machine during such movement. This result is secured by supporting the bar B in a frame G, mounted to turn pivotally about an axis below the bar, in the form shown, about the axis of the lower screw C. Preferably the upper screw D is also carried by the frame G, although the latter feature is not necessary to the broad employment of my invention. Due to this arrangement, the frame G may be moved outwardly and backwardly from its operative position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so as to turn the grooved portion of the bar upwardly and give access to the matrices or to the magazine, and in such manner as to minimize the liability of displacing the matrices. In previous practice, it has generally been customary to mount the bar or other distributing devices, so that they may be pivotally moved about an upper axis, with the attendant disadvantages already indicated.

As previously stated, I have shown my invention in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to a linotype machine, but obviously many changes and variations therein, and in its mode of application, will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and still be comprised within its scope.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. Matrix distributing mechanism comprising, in combination, upper and lower propelling screws adapted to engage the upper and lower ears of the matrices respectively, the upper screw being mounted to turn about the axis of the lower screw so as to be swung downwardly from its operative position.

2. Matrix distributing mechanism comprising a distributer rail or bar and a supporting bracket therefor, said bracket being mounted to turn about an axis situated beneath the bar so as to swing the latter downwardly and bodily from its operative position.

3. Matrix distributing mechanism comprising, in combination, a distributer rail or bar, upper and lower propelling screws ar ranged on one side of the bar to engage the upper and lower ears of the matrices respec tively, and asupporting bracket carrying the distributer rail and upper screw and mounted to turn downwardly about the axis of the lower screw; whereby matrices 011 said rail will be given support by the two screws when the rail is turned from its operative position.

4. Matrix distributingmechanism compris ing, in combination, a distributer rail or bar and two propelling screws arranged on opposite sides of the bar to engage the upper ears of the matrices, one of said screws and bar being mounted to turn about a common axis situated beneath them so as to be swung outwardly and downwardly away from the other screw.

In a typographical machine, the combination of an inclined magazine, and a distributer rail or bar arranged at the same inclination and mounted to be swung backwardly and downwardly away from the magazine so as to give access thereto and to the other parts.

6. In a typographical machine, the combination of a plurality of inclined magazines, and a corresponding plurality of distributing rails or bars arranged at the same inclination, and each mounted to be swung backwardly and downwardly away from its corresponding magazine independently of the others.

7. In a typographical machine, a plurality of distributing mechanisms each comprising a distributer bar or rail and a set of propelling screws, the several sets of screws being geared together and one of the screws of each set and the corresponding bar being movable at will from their operative position independently.

8. In a typographical machine, a plurality of distributing mechanisms each comprising a set of propelling screws, the several sets of screws being geared together, and one of the screws of each set being movable at will from its operative position independently of the others.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this ninth day of October, 1912, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

DAVID S. KENNEDY.

WVitnesses HAROLD A. BURT, ALFRED I. F. Gnnsr.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

